Columns of smoke rise following Israeli strikes on Gaza Strip, Saturday, July 12, 2014. Israeli airstrikes on Gaza hit a mosque and a center for the disabled where a few women were killed Saturday, raising the Palestinian death toll from the offensive to more than 130, Palestinian officials said, in an offensive that showed no signs of slowing down. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalated into a ground invasion Thursday, members of several Southern California associations expressed anger, sadness and frustration for both sides of the nearly two-week war, but also urged constructive dialogue to quell misconceptions.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to move ground troops into the Gaza Strip stirred already raw emotions among Muslims and Jews alike, but though their opinions differed on some issues, both agreed no one wants to see war.

And certainly one that has gone this far, many said.

“What is very hard for Americans to understand when you’re watching a war on TV is this is never what we wanted. Neither side wanted war,” said Miriam Alpern, spokeswoman for Israeli American Council of Greater Los Angeles.

The organization works to encourage the Jewish American community to support Israel and planned last week’s rally in Westwood in support of Israel.

But Alpern said Israel had no choice in entering into conflict. The killing of the three Jewish students, as well as the execution of a Palestinian teen that then resulted in intense artillery exchanges from Hamas, forced Israel’s hand, Alpern said.

“Israel has always fought defensive wars,” Alpern said. “We led a very large rally to express our passion to restore normality and peace.”

Others said that Americans who are watching the conflict unfold should remember to focus on all the victims of the war, not just those from one side.

Hussam Ayloush, executive director​ for the Council on American Islamic Relations of Greater Los Angeles said Palestinians have endured losing their land, violence, and discrimination for decades. He said he wants American viewers to understand that the conflict is about illegal occupation of land and freedom and not a religious war.

“For those who are paying attention now, it’s important to realize that a lot of the atrocities are the side effects of the occupation and a result of our U.S. tax money,” Ayloush said. “As Americans, we have a moral obligation to hold everyone in that region accountable for human rights violations.”

And yet he emphasized: “Every victim on both sides is a tragedy.”

“There are sensible people from both sides, from both communities,” Ayloush said. “It’s important that these are the voices that are heard. There is no need to make it a hate mongering conflict. We should not be demonizing each other. When there’s blood shed, voices of reason get pushed away.”

A vigil between CAIR and the Los Angeles Chapter of Jewish Voices for Peace are in the works, so that those voice can be heard, said Estee Chandler, an organizer for the group.

The organization promotes justice, security, self-determination and equality for Jews, Palestinians and Christians throughout the Israeli and Palestinian region.

“Jewish American opinion on this is not monolithic,” Chandler said. “We’re individuals. We’re very divided on Israeli policy. When we criticize Israeli policy, it’s not anti-Semitic. We’re talking about civil rights. Palestinians are being bombed in Gaza and they have no sirens or shelters.”

For Jordan Elgrably, the director for the Los Angeles based Levantine Cultural Center, there are no sides to the conflict.

Elgrably, who is Jewish and whose family is from Morocco, formed the center more than a decade ago, to bring artists from all walks of life in the Middle East together. Recently, the center featured a performance with an Israeli jazz band and Palestinian saxophonist.

The center also has organized an event for next week with the aunt of one of the slain Israeli teens and the cousin of the slain Palestinian teen, as part of breaking the fast of Ramadan.

Most people are angry and sad about the Israeli teenagers, and the Palestinian teen,” Elgrably said. “ I believe we’re all part of the same conflict.”

But Katlen Abu Ata, a 21-year-old Palestinian-American, program manager at the Levantine Cultural Center, said she mourns for her brothers and sisters in Palestine every day. Her father is from Beit Jalla, and she hopes one day to visit his hometown.

“I feel sad,” she said. “I’m ashamed for my American government for not holding Israel accountable.”

She said she believes Israel is no longer looking for peace.

“Israel is making lives of Palestinians so miserable that they have to leave,” she said. “It’s not a conflict anymore. It’s much more a war than a conflict. Civilians are dying and it’s becoming a violation of the human rights and international law.”

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.